Walking along the path, Takeru saw many demi-humans and beastmen of varying quality.
Soon, a coughing sound caught Takeru's attention. Or rather, this was his target for this visit.
Pushing aside the half-covered canvas, illuminated by the faint light, Takeru saw a young girl bound by many iron rings. The most noticeable feature was the bear ears on her head...
"Sir, this is the most recommended slave in our shop. A level 75 beastman." Looking at Takeru, the slave merchant said respectfully.
"Oh, and the price?" Looking at the wolfman in front of him, with a fierce look in his eyes, covered in fur and a ferocious expression, Takeru only looked calmly at the slave merchant.
"Since this is a type good at combat, how about 15 gold coins?" Hearing Takeru's words, the slave merchant said softly.
Hearing his words, Takeru said nothing, just shook his head lightly.
Although it looked quite strong, its growth ceiling was too low. Moreover, if he simply wanted combat power, Takeru could batch catalyze Demonized Slimes.
"Her price." Without further ado, Takeru went directly to the demi-human girl who had been coughing.
"Sir, this raccoon-type has a mental disorder. I also find this very troublesome. Her previous owner was a man who enjoyed torture. She probably won't last much longer. Sir, are you sure you want to choose her?" Hearing Takeru's words, the slave merchant briefly introduced her.
"That really is a piece of trash. Say no more. I'll choose her." Hearing his words, Takeru spoke directly.
"I see. Understood. She costs thirty silver coins." Hearing Takeru's words, the slave merchant quickly answered.
Takeru directly nodded at this price. Seeing this, the slave merchant directly opened the iron cage, preparing to bring out the girl whose eyes were filled with terror.
"Let me do it." Looking at the girl's terrified expression, Takeru spoke directly to the slave merchant.
"Is that so? Sir, please." Hearing Takeru's words, the slave merchant was startled, then made a 'please' gesture.
"Don't worry, it won't be so painful anymore." Looking at her, Takeru reached out to soothe her. His hand emitted a blue light of purification, and he also used Nen to enhance his own affable aura.
Sensing her internal condition improving, and feeling the kind aura emanating from Takeru, the girl instantly let down her guard against Takeru. She felt like throwing herself into Takeru's arms and crying.
Noticing her change, Takeru casually pulled. The hard iron chains in Takeru's hands broke apart like foam.
"Follow me." Gently patting her head, Takeru led her outside the cage.
"Truly impressive, Sir." Watching Takeru easily soothe the terrified girl so quickly, the slave merchant found it incredible.
"Sir, now the slave seal needs to be applied. This requires some of your blood." Then, the slave merchant said respectfully.
"That kind of thing isn't necessary." Hearing his words, Takeru shook his head gently and directly handed him thirty silver coins.
"Sir, without the slave seal, she might not obey your commands. She might even run away." Seeing Takeru's action, the slave merchant was stunned and quickly explained.
Even the demi-human girl was stunned upon hearing Takeru's words. She had long been prepared. If it were Takeru, she would willingly become his slave.
"Will you run away?" Hearing the slave merchant's words, Takeru turned his head, stroked the girl's hair, and spoke softly to her.
"I... I don't know." Feeling Takeru's gentleness toward her, the girl was stunned. If it were anyone else, she would immediately answer 'no', but would still look for an opportunity to escape.
But with Takeru, she hesitated. At this moment, she naturally wouldn't run away. However, if Takeru also abused her or did other things, then she would escape, even if it meant risking her life...
"Is that so? I see." Sensing her confusion, Takeru revealed a smile. This answer pleased Takeru.
If she had directly and decisively answered yes or no, Takeru would have found it troublesome.
"And your name?" Then, Takeru continued asking.
"Raphtalia." Looking at Takeru's smile, Raphtalia directly told Takeru her name. She also didn't understand why Takeru was smiling.
"Raphtalia, huh? My name is Nara Takeru. Remember it well." Looking at Raphtalia, Takeru said softly.
"Eh? Yes." Seeing that Takeru truly had no intention of branding her with a slave curse, Raphtalia felt lost. A ray of light shone upon her desperate life.
"By the way, boss, do you have any monster eggs?" After buying Raphtalia, Takeru turned and asked the boss again.
"Yes, I've just launched a monster egg lottery. For one hundred silver coins, you're guaranteed at least a Filolial. You can raise it and sell it for twice the price. And if you win the grand prize, there's a riding dragon worth 20 gold coins." Hearing Takeru's words, the slave merchant revealed a smile.
"At least a Filolial, huh? Show me." Hearing his words, Takeru spoke directly.
"Yes." Hearing Takeru's words, the boss directly took out a box. There were sixteen eggs in one box, each carved with a special formation to protect the unborn monster.
"These are all monster eggs that at least guarantee a Filolial?" Feeling the mana and vitality contained in the eggs, Takeru asked further.
"Yes." Hearing Takeru's words, the boss nodded with a light smile.
After hearing his words, Takeru used his Observation Haki to carefully examine the eggs.
Because they hadn't hatched yet, the mana and vitality contained in each egg weren't very different.
If Takeru's Observation Haki hadn't reached an advanced level, nearing the peak, he wouldn't be able to distinguish them well either.
"I'll buy ten." After thinking for a moment, Takeru directly took out ten gold coins and handed them to the slave merchant. He also purchased the ten eggs with the richest vitality and mana.
As for where the gold coins came from, Takeru had naturally created them using his creation ability.
The gold coins of this world likewise had no special formations or other features. They were purely products of simple craftsmanship. For Takeru, manifestation presented no difficulty whatsoever.
"Thank you for your patronage, Sir." Hearing Takeru buy ten monster eggs outright, the boss showed a delighted expression.
Soon, after putting away the gold coins, he gave Takeru ten incubators.
Just as he was wondering how Takeru would take the monster eggs away, Takeru directly stored them in his portable space.
There, with a tenfold time acceleration, they would hatch faster.
"Alright, time to go, Raphtalia." After putting away the ten monster eggs, Takeru spoke to Raphtalia.
"Yes... Takeru-sama." Hearing Takeru's words, Raphtalia spoke hesitantly.
Arriving outside, looking at the slightly dim sky and breathing the fresh air, Raphtalia felt somewhat dreamlike.
However, seeing the way people looked at her made her unconsciously lower her head.
Takeru also noticed Raphtalia's inferiority complex, but that wasn't something that could be changed overnight.
Compared to that, there were more important things now.
Because Raphtalia was currently dirty all over, Takeru planned to have her take a bath and change clothes first.
Thinking this, Takeru directly led her to the inn room.
Arriving at the inn and seeing the lively crowd downstairs, Raphtalia became even more fearful.
She could only tightly follow behind Takeru, seeking a sense of security.
Takeru also sensed her fear and directly reached out to take her small hand.
Feeling the temperature of Takeru's palm transmitted through her hand, Raphtalia felt an endless sense of security. She looked at Takeru somewhat dazedly.
However, soon, she was attracted by the surrounding aromas. Her stomach made a growling sound, making her blush.
"Dinner can wait a bit. Go wash up first." Looking at her, Takeru said softly.
"Yes." Hearing Takeru's words, Raphtalia lowered her head in embarrassment.
Leading her directly into the room, Takeru used earth magic to create a new space within the room.
Inside, he manifested a large wooden tub. He then manifested a large amount of hot water into the tub, and beside it, he manifested a towel, a bath towel, shampoo, and body wash.
"Raphtalia, come here." After doing all this, Takeru called Raphtalia.
Entering the space and seeing the bathing tools inside, she thought of something and became very nervous.